Council on Aging fights for more funding

A $1,000 request by the Council on Aging quickly turned into a broader discussion on the proper level of funding for the town's senior programs at last week's board of selectmen's meeting.

The debate began with the Council on Aging's request for an additional two hours to be added to the department's director position.

Nancy Burbank, the current director, is paid 17 hours per week by the town and 2 hours from a grant. The COA's proposal calls for an increase in the town's share from 17 hours to 19 hours. The problem with that request is that it would bump the director's total hours over the 20-hour threshold. Anyone who works for the town more than 20 hours a week is considered a full-time employee and eligible for health benefits. Over the course of a year the twohour increase would amount to $1,000 in wages, but a health insurance plan would cost the town approximately $13,000.

Nancy Sechman, the chair of the COA's board of directors, strongly advocated for the increase.

"Whoever fills the director's position is the person responsible for taking care of our senior population here in town, a population that's growing everyday. How can the town turn these seniors away? How is [the director] supposed to tell the seniors, "Sorry, I have to go home because we don't have enough hours," she said.

Ginny Lamoreaux, president of the Friends of the COA organization and a former director of the department, also voiced her support for the request.

"For the past eight years, anytime the COA has tried to get more funding, the town has shot it down. Nancy [Burbank] is probably working 40 hours a week, the least she deserves are these two hours," she told the selectmen.

Selectman Douglas Briggs said the department has been operating over its budget. For several months Burbank has been working as both the director and the outreach worker, and filling both posts has lead to costly overtime. A new outreach worker is slated to start at the COA in November.

"If the money to cover these two hours was approved, it might not even see you through to the end of this year," said Briggs.

According to Burbank, the amount of time she puts in for the town's seniors far exceeds the 17 hours she is normally paid for.

"Realistically, I work anywhere from 40-45 hours a week, and that's a conservative estimate," she said.

Burbank said her responsibilities as the director range from deadline-sensitive duties such as budgeting and grant writing, to developing new activities and programs for Rutland's senior.

One such plan created by Burbank seeks to educate and involve Baby Boomers who are increasingly finding themselves caring for elderly parents. The program is held in the evening to accommodate the schedule of the stillworking caregivers, and Burbank in essence runs the program for free.

"I have an issue with us knowingly allowing our director to work 30 or 40 hours a week and only paying her for 17," said Selectman Joseph Becker.

"My opinion is that the director of the Council on Aging is a job that is equal to the chief of police or the superintendent of the DPW," said Chairman Don D'Auteuil. "Whoever does that job is a department leader and should be compensated adequately."

The selectmen drafted a new article to be presented to the town's voters. The new request would make the director post a 40-hour-a-week position, complete with health insurance. A Proposition 21/2 override would pay for the additional hours and benefits. Because town residents have historically voted down such tax increases, the COA's initial proposal for the two-hour hike will also remain on the warrant.

"We are giving you two shots here," said Selectman Sheila Dibb. "One really big shot and one smaller shot. Hopefully one of them will be successful for you."

Until then, Burbank continues her work with the town's seniors as usual. She says she is too busy to dwell on the political happenings.

"I do the best I can to help these people and their families, whether it's through programming, activities, or education. I just wish the town would appreciate the work I do," Burbank said. "Really, this isn't about me or the money. I'm going to continue to do the work I do no matter what, and I think a lot of people know that so they take advantage of it. But someday someone else is going to have to do this job, and what quality of work are Rutland's seniors going to get for 17 hours a week and no benefits?"

Rutland residents will answer that question at the October 29 special town meeting.